De Gea Never Considered Retirement During Year-Long Absence From Football
Goalkeeper David De Gea says he never considered retiring from football during his year-long absence from the game.
De Gea signed a one-year contract with Fiorentina last week after watching the entire 2023/2024 season from the sidelines after failing to find a club following his departure from Manchester United.
De Gea spent 12 years with the Red Devils, having joined Manchester United from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2011 and made 545 appearances, winning one Premier League title, the Europa League, two League Cups and one FA Cup.
In his last active season as a professional in the 2022/2023 season, De Gea kept the most clean sheets in the Premier League with 17.
"Man United is a top, top club and my heart will always be there," the 33-year-old said at his unveiling on Monday.
"I never thought about retiring, it was just difficult to find motivation for a new chapter after 12 years at a top club like Man United.
"I finally felt that at Fiorentina."
Fiorentina placed eighth in Serie A last season, and have finished runners up in the Europa Conference League in the last two seasons.
De Gea has won 45 caps for Spain.
